Earth from Space Quiz

Samantha quiz
This image shows the Beech Forests of the Carpathians Mountains in Slovakia. It’s one of the richest ecological landscapes in Europe.
click on picture to zoom more
What can be seen on the left side of the image?

Correct!

The International Space Station (ISS) is closer than you might think … it circles the Earth only 400 km above us! For astronauts to reach the Station they need to travel in a spacecraft like the one seen in this image. It is composed of 3 modules and the tip of the spacecraft carries the equipment necessary to dock with the ISS. The journey to the International Space Station can last six hours or two days depending on the mission profile. The journey back to Earth lasts only 3 hours!

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: A spacecraft

The International Space Station (ISS) is closer than you might think … it circles the Earth only 400 km above us! For astronauts to reach the Station they need to travel in a spacecraft like the one seen in this image. It is composed of 3 modules and the tip of the spacecraft carries the equipment necessary to dock with the ISS. The journey to the International Space Station can last six hours or two days depending on the mission profile. The journey back to Earth lasts only 3 hours!

This image shows the Beech Forests of the Carpathians Mountains in Slovakia. It’s one of the richest ecological landscapes in Europe.
Where is Slovakia located?

Correct!

Slovakia is located in Central Europe. The capital and largest city is Bratislava. It is a country with more than six thousand caves and the world’s highest number of castles and chateaux per capita. Can you locate Slovakia on a map?

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Central Europe

Slovakia is located in Central Europe. The capital and largest city is Bratislava. It is a country with more than six thousand caves and the world’s highest number of castles and chateaux per capita. Can you locate Slovakia on a map?

This image shows the Beech Forests of the Carpathians Mountains in Slovakia. It’s one of the richest ecological landscapes in Europe.
Forests are very important to help fight climate change as trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen in a process called:

Correct!

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce the oxygen we breathe through a process called photosynthesis. By removing carbon dioxide from the air, trees can help to reduce global warming and to fight climate change.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: photosynthesis

Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce the oxygen we breathe through a process called photosynthesis. By removing carbon dioxide from the air, trees can help to reduce global warming and to fight climate change.

From space, Samantha could see different types of landscapes, including the marshlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammals, such as the cheetah and white rhinoceros.
What is a delta?

Correct!

A delta is a wetland which is formed when rivers empty their water normally into another slower-moving waterbody, e.g., the ocean. The Okavango Delta is special, because this delta is not going into an ocean; instead, the Okavango River splits into channels and the water evaporates as it flows towards the desert. Delta is also the name of the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: A landform where a river splits into channels

A delta is a wetland which is formed when rivers empty their water normally into another slower-moving waterbody, e.g., the ocean. The Okavango Delta is special, because this delta is not going into an ocean; instead, the Okavango River splits into channels and the water evaporates as it flows towards the desert. Delta is also the name of the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.

From space, Samantha could see different types of landscapes, including the marshlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammals, such as the cheetah and white rhinoceros.
Where is the Okavango Delta located?

Correct!

The Okavango Delta is in Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The Delta is located in the north-west of the country. Botswana’s capital and largest city is Gaborone. Botswana is a very important ecosystem for wildlife. In addition to the delta and desert, it has grasslands and savannas, where many different species of birds and mammals can be found. Over 18 000 elephants live there.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Africa

The Okavango Delta is in Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The Delta is located in the north-west of the country. Botswana’s capital and largest city is Gaborone. Botswana is a very important ecosystem for wildlife. In addition to the delta and desert, it has grasslands and savannas, where many different species of birds and mammals can be found. Over 18 000 elephants live there.

From space, Samantha could see different types of landscapes, including the marshlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammals, such as the cheetah and white rhinoceros.
Why is the Delta important for wildlife? [multiple answers]

Almost there! The complete answer is: It turns the desert to a vital green ecosystem; it forms a destination for wandering species; it provides food and water for animals

The Delta and the water it brings is very important for the wildlife in the area. During the dry season the landscape is sandy and looks like a typical desert. The name of this desert is Kalahari Desert. It covers about 80 % of Botswana’s landscape. Suddenly, when the water is flooding through the delta, the whole brown area turns green, bringing animal groups to the area to drink and eat. Large animals take a bath. Have you ever seen an elephant playing joyfully in the water at the beginning of the rainy season?

Correct!

The Delta and the water it brings is very important for the wildlife in the area. During the dry season the landscape is sandy and looks like a typical desert. The name of this desert is Kalahari Desert. It covers about 80 % of Botswana’s landscape. Suddenly, when the water is flooding through the delta, the whole brown area turns green, bringing animal groups to the area to drink and eat. Large animals take a bath. Have you ever seen an elephant playing joyfully in the water at the beginning of the rainy season?

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: It turns the desert to a vital green ecosystem; it forms a destination for wandering species; it provides food and water for animals

The Delta and the water it brings is very important for the wildlife in the area. During the dry season the landscape is sandy and looks like a typical desert. The name of this desert is Kalahari Desert. It covers about 80 % of Botswana’s landscape. Suddenly, when the water is flooding through the delta, the whole brown area turns green, bringing animal groups to the area to drink and eat. Large animals take a bath. Have you ever seen an elephant playing joyfully in the water at the beginning of the rainy season?

This image shows the Galápagos Islands, one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. The islands were designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978.
What are the white dots in the image?

Correct!

In this picture, the islands are covered by clouds. We can recognize different types of clouds by their difference in shape and size. Clouds are very important for Earth’s climate because they reflect some of the sun’s radiation back into space. At the same time, clouds also trap some of the outgoing radiation, which helps warm our planet. For scientists to investigate and better understand the effect of clouds on Earth’s climate, ESA is developing the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE), a European-Japanese satellite mission.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Clouds

In this picture, the islands are covered by clouds. We can recognize different types of clouds by their difference in shape and size. Clouds are very important for Earth’s climate because they reflect some of the sun’s radiation back into space. At the same time, clouds also trap some of the outgoing radiation, which helps warm our planet. For scientists to investigate and better understand the effect of clouds on Earth’s climate, ESA is developing the Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE), a European-Japanese satellite mission.

This image shows the Galápagos Islands, one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. The islands were designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978.
In which ocean are the Galápagos Islands located?

Correct!

The Galápagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, around 1000 km from the South American continent, and are part of the Republic of Ecuador. There are 127 islands in total, 19 of them are large, and only 4 of them are inhabited by people. Repeated volcanic eruptions and ongoing seismic activity have helped form the mountain landscape of the islands.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Pacific Ocean

The Galápagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, around 1000 km from the South American continent, and are part of the Republic of Ecuador. There are 127 islands in total, 19 of them are large, and only 4 of them are inhabited by people. Repeated volcanic eruptions and ongoing seismic activity have helped form the mountain landscape of the islands.

This image shows the Galápagos Islands, one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. The islands were designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1978.
The Galápagos Islands are famous for… [multiple answers]

Correct!

The islands and the surrounding water, the Galápagos Marine Reserve, are a protected National Park. The Galápagos Islands are best known for their diverse array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world! These include the giant Galápagos tortoise, the marine iguana, and the Galápagos penguin – the only species of penguin that lives north of the equator. The islands are also famous through the work of Charles Darwin who visited the islands in 1835, after which he wrote the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Almost there! The complete answer is: Penguins and Giant tortoises

The islands and the surrounding water, the Galápagos Marine Reserve, are a protected National Park. The Galápagos Islands are best known for their diverse array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world! These include the giant Galápagos tortoise, the marine iguana, and the Galápagos penguin – the only species of penguin that lives north of the equator. The islands are also famous through the work of Charles Darwin who visited the islands in 1835, after which he wrote the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Penguins and Giant tortoises

The islands and the surrounding water, the Galápagos Marine Reserve, are a protected National Park. The Galápagos Islands are best known for their diverse array of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world! These include the giant Galápagos tortoise, the marine iguana, and the Galápagos penguin – the only species of penguin that lives north of the equator. The islands are also famous through the work of Charles Darwin who visited the islands in 1835, after which he wrote the theory of evolution by natural selection.

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino in Mexico seen in this image is a World Heritage site. It comprises two coastal lagoons considered the world’s most important place for the reproduction of the Grey Whale.
A lagoon is…

Correct!

A lagoon is a body of water separated from larger bodies of water by a natural barrier,like for example, a sand bank or coral reef. It differs from a lake, as a lake refers to an area that is filled with water and typically surrounded by land. The Venice Lagoon, in Italy, is one of the most famous lagoon systems in the world. It is connected to the Adriatic Sea, and it is comprised of around 8% land, including Venice.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: a body of water separated from larger bodies of water by a natural barrier

A lagoon is a body of water separated from larger bodies of water by a natural barrier, like for example, a sand bank or coral reef. It differs from a lake, as a lake refers to an area that is filled with water and typically surrounded by land. The Venice Lagoon, in Italy, is one of the most famous lagoon systems in the world. It is connected to the Adriatic Sea, and it is comprised of around 8% land, including Venice.

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino in Mexico seen in this image is a World Heritage site. It comprises two coastal lagoons considered the world’s most important place for the reproduction of the Grey Whale.
The Whale Sanctuary Lagoon has perfect conditions for grey whales to reproduce due to… [multiple answers]

Correct!

Grey whales need special conditions for reproduction. A lot of factors play a role – the depth of water, the temperature, nutrients, and salinity, which means the concentration of salt in the water. The Lagoon, formed by the coastline, provides these perfect conditions. The shallow waters of the lagoon help the baby whales (calves) learn how to feed themselves. The high temperature and saline concentration of the lagoon waters give new-born calves the ideal conditions to learn how to float and swim.

Almost there! The complete answer is: The high temperature of the water and The salt concentration of the water

Grey whales need special conditions for reproduction. A lot of factors play a role – the depth of water, the temperature, nutrients, and salinity, which means the concentration of salt in the water. The Lagoon, formed by the coastline, provides these perfect conditions. The shallow waters of the lagoon help the baby whales (calves) learn how to feed themselves. The high temperature and saline concentration of the lagoon waters give new-born calves the ideal conditions to learn how to float and swim.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: The high temperature of the water; The salt concentration of the water

Grey whales need special conditions for reproduction. A lot of factors play a role – the depth of water, the temperature, nutrients, and salinity, which means the concentration of salt in the water. The Lagoon, formed by the coastline, provides these perfect conditions. The shallow waters of the lagoon help the baby whales (calves) learn how to feed themselves. The high temperature and saline concentration of the lagoon waters give new-born calves the ideal conditions to learn how to float and swim.

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino in Mexico seen in this image is a World Heritage site. It comprises two coastal lagoons considered the world’s most important place for the reproduction of the Grey Whale.
What are the rectangular shapes on the lower right side of the image?

Correct!

Close to the Lagoons there is a big industry of salt mining. The salt is not mined out of the soil or a cave, it is extracted from the ocean by evaporation. Ocean water or seawater contains about 35 grams of salt in each litre of water. The water is filled in little ponds, and the sun makes the water evaporate so that all that remains is salt. The hot dry climate in the desert region and the high solar radiation helps to harvest huge amounts of salt. The bright colours of the salt ponds are related to the levels of salt in the water.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Salt ponds

Close to the Lagoons there is a big industry of salt mining. The salt is not mined out of the soil or a cave, it is extracted from the ocean by evaporation. Ocean water or seawater contains about 35 grams of salt in each litre of water. The water is filled in little ponds, and the sun makes the water evaporate so that all that remains is salt. The hot dry climate in the desert region and the high solar radiation helps to harvest huge amounts of salt. The bright colours of the salt ponds are related to the levels of salt in the water.

Samantha took this picture from Waw an Namus, in the Sahara Desert, in the north of Africa. The name Waw an Namus means ‘oasis of mosquitoes’.
What is Waw an Namus?

Correct!

Waw an Namus is a volcano in the middle of the desert in Libya. Waw an Namus looks black in the image, in contrast to the brown desert. Scientists have discovered that the volcano is about 200,000 years old, but its origin is still an open question. The small lakes surrounding the volcano are what gives it its name, which means ‘Oasis of Mosquitoes’. Some of the lakes have a red colour, which gives the area a multicoloured appearance.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: A volcano

Waw an Namus is a volcano in the middle of the desert in Libya. Waw an Namus looks black in the image, in contrast to the brown desert. Scientists have discovered that the volcano is about 200,000 years old, but its origin is still an open question. The small lakes surrounding the volcano are what gives it its name, which means ‘Oasis of Mosquitoes’. Some of the lakes have a red colour, which gives the area a multicoloured appearance.

Samantha took this picture from Waw an Namus, in the Sahara Desert, in the north of Africa. The name Waw an Namus means ‘oasis of mosquitoes’.
What is the dark area around the volcano?

Correct!

The black area around the volcano is a layer of dark-coloured ash and material from old eruptions. It covers the sand 10 to 20 kilometres around the crater. The contrast between the black and the bright desert sand can be seen from space. Winds blow the ashes in the desert around. Some volcanic materials can even be found over 100 kilometres southwest.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Ash from eruptions

The black area around the volcano is a layer of dark-coloured ash and material from old eruptions. It covers the sand 10 to 20 kilometres around the crater. The contrast between the black and the bright desert sand can be seen from space. Winds blow the ashes in the desert around. Some volcanic materials can even be found over 100 kilometres southwest.

Samantha took this picture from Waw an Namus, in the Sahara Desert, in the north of Africa. The name Waw an Namus means ‘oasis of mosquitoes’.
How can a volcanic eruption be recognized from space? [multiple answers correct]

Correct!

Volcanic eruptions can be seen from space; astronauts can easily recognize, for example, red-hot lava flows out of a crater, and clouds of ash and smoke from the space station. Satellite missions are also very important to monitoring volcanos. With different sensors, satellites can see more than what we can see with our eyes, and some can even see through clouds! Satellites like Copernicus Sentinel-5P carry instruments that monitor the quality of the air, which is very important not only to the local environment and populations living near active volcanoes, but also to aviation.

Almost there! The complete answer is: Astronauts can see it from the ISS and Sensors on satellites can detect it

Volcanic eruptions can be seen from space; astronauts can easily recognize, for example, red-hot lava flows out of a crater, and clouds of ash and smoke from the space station. Satellite missions are also very important to monitoring volcanos. With different sensors, satellites can see more than what we can see with our eyes, and some can even see through clouds! Satellites like Copernicus Sentinel-5P carry instruments that monitor the quality of the air, which is very important not only to the local environment and populations living near active volcanoes, but also to aviation.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Astronauts can see it from the ISS; Sensors on satellites can detect it

Volcanic eruptions can be seen from space; astronauts can easily recognize, for example, red-hot lava flows out of a crater, and clouds of ash and smoke from the space station. Satellite missions are also very important to monitoring volcanos. With different sensors, satellites can see more than what we can see with our eyes, and some can even see through clouds! Satellites like Copernicus Sentinel-5P carry instruments that monitor the quality of the air, which is very important not only to the local environment and populations living near active volcanoes, but also to aviation.

The Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the province of Alberta in Canada. It is famous for the fossil specimens discovered there.
The Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada got its name because

Correct!

Some of the most important dinosaur fossils of the world were discovered in the Dinosaur Provincial Park. Around 35 species of dinosaurs that lived 75 million years ago have been found here.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Dinosaur fossils were discovered there

Some of the most important dinosaur fossils of the world were discovered in the Dinosaur Provincial Park. Around 35 species of dinosaurs that lived 75 million years ago have been found here.

The Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the province of Alberta in Canada. It is famous for the fossil specimens discovered there.
In the middle of the satellite image, you can see a white/grey shape. What is it?

Correct!

The white/grey shape is a region of mountains and valleys that formed in the last ice age. The landscape in the Dinosaur Park is known as the ‘Badlands’, literally meaning the land is bad e.g., for agriculture. The summers are very dry, so plants must adapt to these circumstances.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Mountains and a valley

The white/grey shape is a region of mountains and valleys that formed in the last ice age. The landscape in the Dinosaur Park is known as the ‘Badlands’, literally meaning the land is bad e.g., for agriculture. The summers are very dry, so plants must adapt to these circumstances.

The Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the province of Alberta in Canada. It is famous for the fossil specimens discovered there.
The different-coloured circles are

Correct!

Because of the dry summers in the Badlands, the fields need irrigation. The equipment used for irrigation rotates around a pivot and waters the crops with sprinklers. The water falls directly on the crops and is not shot in the air. Less water is lost to evaporation and the plants are more nourished.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Cropland

Because of the dry summers in the Badlands, the fields need irrigation. The equipment used for irrigation rotates around a pivot and waters the crops with sprinklers. The water falls directly on the crops and is not shot in the air. Less water is lost to evaporation and the plants are more nourished.

Samantha took a picture of the German City, Karlsruhe. The city is located on the right bank of the Rhine River, the longest river in Germany.
In the image you can see[multiple answers]:

Correct!

Karlsruhe’s borders are along the Rhine River that connects it to world trade. You can see that the course of the river is very straight. This is often a sign that the river has been artificially changed by humans. This is also an example of the human impact on nature surrounding a city. The green and yellow rectangular shapes are fields. Around Karlsruhe there are fields of corn, a widespread crop in Germany, but also fruit and vegetable cultivation. Karlsruhe is also surrounded by forests that you can identify in the picture by the dark green. Parks and surrounding forests increase the air quality in a city and improve the quality of life for people living in the city.

Almost there! The complete answer is: A river, fields and forests

Karlsruhe’s borders are along the Rhine River that connects it to world trade. You can see that the course of the river is very straight. This is often a sign that the river has been artificially changed by humans. This is also an example of the human impact on nature surrounding a city. The green and yellow rectangular shapes are fields. Around Karlsruhe there are fields of corn, a widespread crop in Germany, but also fruit and vegetable cultivation. Karlsruhe is also surrounded by forests that you can identify in the picture by the dark green. Parks and surrounding forests increase the air quality in a city and improve the quality of life for people living in the city.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: A river, Fields and Forests

Karlsruhe’s borders are along the Rhine River that connects it to world trade. You can see that the course of the river is very straight. This is often a sign that the river has been artificially changed by humans. This is also an example of the human impact on nature surrounding a city. The green and yellow rectangular shapes are fields. Around Karlsruhe there are fields of corn, a widespread crop in Germany, but also fruit and vegetable cultivation. Karlsruhe is also surrounded by forests that you can identify in the picture by the dark green. Parks and surrounding forests increase the air quality in a city and improve the quality of life for people living in the city.

Samantha took a picture of the German City, Karlsruhe. The city is located on the right bank of the Rhine River, the longest river in Germany.
The fork-shaped structure in the image is:

Correct!

You can recognize the port of Karlsruhe in the image due to the very straight lines of water that go inland and that give it the fork shape. The port of Karlsuhe is an important inland port in Europe, providing the link between the German city and international Rhine shipping. Flowing from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, the Rhine River is an important shipping route for many products from grains to chemicals to coal. Dry summers and long periods without rain have an impact on the water level of the river making it increasingly difficult to transport goods. Due to climate change this is becoming more frequent.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: An inland port

You can recognize the port of Karlsruhe in the image due to the very straight lines of water that go inland and that give it the fork shape. The port of Karlsuhe is an important inland port in Europe, providing the link between the German city and international Rhine shipping. Flowing from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, the Rhine River is an important shipping route for many products from grains to chemicals to coal. Dry summers and long periods without rain have an impact on the water level of the river making it increasingly difficult to transport goods. Due to climate change this is becoming more frequent.

Samantha took a picture of the German City, Karlsruhe. The city is located on the right bank of the Rhine River, the longest river in Germany.
Which one of Samantha Cristoforetti’s colleagues from ESA’s 2009 astronaut class studied geophysics in Karlsruhe?

Correct!

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst studied at the University of Karlsruhe, where he received a diploma in geophysics. Samantha also studied in Germany, at the Technical University of Munich, where she earned a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering with specialisations in aerospace propulsion and lightweight structures. There are many paths to becoming an astronaut, from studying natural sciences to medicine or engineering.
ESA issued a new call for astronauts in 2021-2022, attracting more than 23 000 candidates! From these, 4 to 6 candidates will be selected for the next class of ESA astronauts.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Alexander Gerst

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst studied at the University of Karlsruhe, where he received a diploma in geophysics. Samantha also studied in Germany, at the Technical University of Munich, where she earned a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering with specialisations in aerospace propulsion and lightweight structures. There are many paths to becoming an astronaut, from studying natural sciences to medicine or engineering.
ESA issued a new call for astronauts in 2021-2022, attracting more than 23 000 candidates! From these, 4 to 6 candidates will be selected for the next class of ESA astronauts.

Grenoble is a city in south-eastern France, at the foot of the French Alps. It is the largest city within the Alps.
In the image you can see[multiple answers]:

Correct!

The city shown in the image is Grenoble. You can identify it by buildings and roads typical of an urban area. The city is surrounded the French Alps. In the lower right corner of the image, you can identify some mountains with snow. The rivers seen in the image are the Isère and Drac. The water produced by snow melt is very important to feeding the rivers with water.

Almost there! The complete answer is: A river, a city and snow

The city shown in the image is Grenoble. You can identify it by buildings and roads typical of an urban area. The city is surrounded the French Alps. In the lower right corner of the image, you can identify some mountains with snow. The rivers seen in the image are the Isère and Drac. The water produced by snow melt is very important to feeding the rivers with water.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: A river, a city and snow

The city shown in the image is Grenoble. You can identify it by buildings and roads typical of an urban area. The city is surrounded the French Alps. In the lower right corner of the image, you can identify some mountains with snow. The rivers seen in the image are the Isère and Drac. The water produced by snow melt is very important to feeding the rivers with water.

Grenoble is a city in south-eastern France, at the foot of the French Alps. It is the largest city within the Alps.
The structure with a circular shape at the confluence of the two rivers is:

Correct!

Grenoble is home for many laboratories and research centres, including the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). A synchrotron is an extremely powerful source of X-rays that scientists use to investigate the structure of matter and solve some mysteries as for example why chocolate sometimes develops a white film when it melts!

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: A synchrotron

Grenoble is home for many laboratories and research centres, including the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF). A synchrotron is an extremely powerful source of X-rays that scientists use to investigate the structure of matter and solve some mysteries as for example why chocolate sometimes develops a white film when it melts!

Grenoble is a city in south-eastern France, at the foot of the French Alps. It is the largest city within the Alps.
The Alps are the most extensive mountain range in Europe. How many countries do they span?

Correct!

The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system in Europe. The Alpine region covers eight European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland. The highest peak is Mont Blanc at a height of 4,810 m.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: 8

The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system in Europe. The Alpine region covers eight European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland. The highest peak is Mont Blanc at a height of 4,810 m.

Samantha took this image of the Szczecin Lagoon, in the Oder River estuary, over Germany and Poland. The Lagoon is separated from the Baltic Sea by islands and is fed by several arms of the Oder River.
What are the circular structures in the lagoon?

Correct!

The circular structures in the lagoon are two artificial islands. They were created from dredging a fairway for ships. A fairway is like a street for ships. It must be deep enough for big ships, too. For the deepening of the lagoon was necessary to dredge it. The islands will become new ecological habitats. That means after some time, plants and animals will settle down there.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Artificial islands

The circular structures in the lagoon are two artificial islands. They were created from dredging a fairway for ships. A fairway is like a street for ships. It must be deep enough for big ships, too. For the deepening of the lagoon was necessary to dredge it. The islands will become new ecological habitats. That means after some time, plants and animals will settle down there.

Samantha took this image of the Szczecin Lagoon, in the Oder River estuary, over Germany and Poland. The Lagoon is separated from the Baltic Sea by islands and is fed by several arms of the Oder River.
The agricultural fields in this image are [multiple answers]:

Correct!

Agriculture fields have different colours depending on the crop grown and when the image is taken. Seen from above, they are like colourful geometric shapes. Most agricultural fields have natural colours like different types of brown or green and sometimes even yellow. Imagine a field of rape seeds: first it will be brown, because it’s just bare soil; after a while it turns green as the plants grow. In the end, the field is yellow because the plants are blooming. In the winter season the fields are mostly brown because nothing is being grown.

Almost there! The complete answer is: Brown and Light brown

Agriculture fields have different colours depending on the crop grown and when the image is taken. Seen from above, they are like colourful geometric shapes. Most agricultural fields have natural colours like different types of brown or green and sometimes even yellow. Imagine a field of rape seeds: first it will be brown, because it’s just bare soil; after a while it turns green as the plants grow. In the end, the field is yellow because the plants are blooming. In the winter season the fields are mostly brown because nothing is being grown.

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Brown and Light brown

Agriculture fields have different colours depending on the crop grown and when the image is taken. Seen from above, they are like colourful geometric shapes. Most agricultural fields have natural colours like different types of brown or green and sometimes even yellow. Imagine a field of rape seeds: first it will be brown, because it’s just bare soil; after a while it turns green as the plants grow. In the end, the field is yellow because the plants are blooming. In the winter season the fields are mostly brown because nothing is being grown.

Samantha took this image of the Szczecin Lagoon, in the Oder River estuary, over Germany and Poland. The Lagoon is separated from the Baltic Sea by islands and is fed by several arms of the Oder River.
What is identifiable in pictures taken from the ISS [multiple answers]:

Correct!

It is not possible to spot people in pictures taken by the cameras on the ISS as they don’t have enough resolution, however, pictures taken by the astronauts from space are very important to monitoring our planet. From above, astronauts can see the eye of a storm and identify changes to the landscape due to, for example, the development of artificial islands. Being a photographer is not a prerequisite for becoming an astronaut, but it is part of an astronaut’s training. Due to their unique perspective, pictures taken from space are an important instrument to demonstrate the fragility and beauty of our planet!

Almost there! The complete answer is: Changes to the landscape; Water bodies; Hurricanes

It is not possible to spot people in pictures taken by the cameras on the ISS as they don’t have enough resolution, however, pictures taken by the astronauts from space are very important to monitoring our planet. From above, astronauts can see the eye of a storm and identify changes to the landscape due to, for example, the development of artificial islands. Being a photographer is not a prerequisite for becoming an astronaut, but it is part of an astronaut’s training. Due to their unique perspective, pictures taken from space are an important instrument to demonstrate the fragility and beauty of our planet!

Sorry, that is incorrect! Correct answer: Changes to the landscape; Water bodies; Hurricanes

It is not possible to spot people in pictures taken by the cameras on the ISS as they don’t have enough resolution, however, pictures taken by the astronauts from space are very important to monitoring our planet. From above, astronauts can see the eye of a storm and identify changes to the landscape due to, for example, the development of artificial islands. Being a photographer is not a prerequisite for becoming an astronaut, but it is part of an astronaut’s training. Due to their unique perspective, pictures taken from space are an important instrument to demonstrate the fragility and beauty of our planet!

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